Pramesh S Jain
The city traffic Police behaviour came under question again after a member of the State Police Complaints Authority has written to the head of the State Police, urging strict directions to curb the growing instances of misbehaviour,harassment and assault of vehicle users by traffic police personnel during routine inspections and checking drives.
In a letter sent on Monday,Mohan Kumar Danappa requested the DG&IGP to issue necessary circulars to ensure that traffic police officers mend their behaviour and refrain from using abusive language or engaging in high-handed conduct.
Mr.Danappa stated that despite the State Police Department being a disciplined force,repeated incidents of misconduct and misuse of power by a section of officers and staff were tarnishing the reputation of the entire department.
He noted that although several circulars and reminders had been issued in the past, reports of police personnel abusing,assaulting,harassing and insulting motorists during vehicle checks continue to surface frequently on social media and in the press.
The letter cited recent incidents, including the death of a child during a traffic check in Mandya district,and the assault of a transport bus driver by a constable in Kudligi,Vijayanagar district—both of which went viral statewide.
The State Police Complaints Authority has already taken suo motu cognisance of these cases and initiated inquiries.
Another serious incident occurred in Chitradurga last week,where an agitated driver poured petrol on himself during a vehicle inspection and attempted self-immolation.
In Sandur,a video of a police officer hurling abuses at a lorry driver also went viral.
“These recurring incidents not only bring disrepute to the State Police Department but also create a perception that it is anti-people,” Danappa wrote.“Even officers who work honestly and maintain discipline are being viewed with disrespect.”
He urged the police chief to issue clear instructions to all traffic police personnel to treat drivers of all types of vehicles with respect during inspections and to ensure that such misconduct does not recur.
In the wake of two recent incidents in Mandya and Davangere where random checks led to deaths.The new State police chief,MA.Saleem,on Saturday, issued directions to police personnel across the State to refrain from random vehicle checks without valid reasons.
The city police commissioner also reiterating the order directed the police not to resort to random vehicle checks and stop motorists for document verification.Mr. Seemant Kumar Singh had also stressed contactless enforcement but despite orders random vehicles checks across the city returned leading to resentment among the motorists causing harassment and delay .
